Delran Emergency Squad license suspended due to multiple violations

Tuesday

Jul 10, 2018 at 6:07 PMJul 10, 2018 at 6:07 PM

The Delran Emergency Squad’s license to operate was suspended by the New Jersey Department of Health on Monday due to multiple violations.

DELRAN — The Delran Emergency Squad’s license to operate was summarily suspended by the New Jersey Department of Health on Monday due to multiple violations, including operating vehicles with uncertified staff, altering patient care reports and hindering an audit investigation.

In a suspension letter, the department described the squad's actions as “an immediate and serious threat to the health, safety and welfare of the public.” An investigation is ongoing, and may result in monetary penalties and/or the revocation of DES’ license.

As of Monday, emergency squads from Moorestown, Lumberton, Palmyra and Endeavor in Burlington Township were providing coverage in Delran, depending on call volume, according to the Department of Health. The agency is working with municipal and county officials to secure long-term coverage. There was no disruption in service to the public.

"The township is continuing to work on this situation to ensure residents are protected while the Delran/Riverside Emergency Squad works to have their licensing restored," said Delran business administrator Jeffrey Hatcher.

This news organization was unsuccessful in its attempts to reach Delran Mayor Ken Paris and DES Chief Donald Horner for comment.

On June 11, the DOH’s Office of Emergency Medical Services was notified that Horner was working on an ambulance without a valid EMT certification. A subsequent investigation revealed Horner’s EMT certification expired on Dec. 31, 2010, and EMT instructor certification expired on Dec. 31, 2016, though he remained chief of the agency.

Investigators attempted to conduct an audit of DES on June 13, but could not complete their work because Horner became “verbally abusive against the officers," according to the Department of Health. Horner warned them to leave before he killed himself or "killed you, meaning the investigators," the suspension letter read.

When investigators tried to leave, saying they would come back another time, Horner followed them out, at one point coming "nose-to-nose with one of the investigators," the letter continued.

“Despite the fact that a licensed BLS (basic life support) agency is required, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 8:40-2.6, to permit OEMS investigators unfettered access to its files and submit to its investigations, you deliberately hindered their audit investigation. In fact, you were belligerent, combative, and uncooperative,” the letter read in reference to Horner, who was formerly chief of police in Riverside from 1995 until his retirement from law enforcement in 2005.

The following day, investigators returned with assistance from Delran Police Department. They requested to see patient care records, as entitled under state law, but were denied and advised to contact DES’ counsel to gain access, according to the Department of Health. The attorney told them to contact an IT specialist, who informed investigators access was restricted.

Officials reached out to DES President Josephine Hubbs, who said she had restricted access due to concerns over the integrity of the data. After learning she would be hindering OEMS’ investigation, she agreed to allow access to the documents, according to DOH.

A review of patient care records revealed DES was in violation of minimum crew requirements under New Jersey State Law. Ambulances must be staffed with two certified EMTs. Horner worked on an ambulance as a second EMT at least 27 times since January 2017, even though he wasn’t certified to act as an EMT. Activity logs for the charts indicate Horner removed his name for the patient care report and replaced it with currently certified personnel, according to DOH.

Investigators requested access to other documentation, such as training curriculum and training fund forms, but were refused.

“In the present matter, DES is hindering OEMS’ audit investigation by threatening investigators working in their official capacity and restricting OEMS’ access to its records, altering patient care reports and utilizing uncertified crew members on its ambulances,” the suspension letter read.

Delran Emergency Squad was founded in 1939, according to its website. The squad includes volunteer members and paid staff for daytime services. It also serves as a statewide training facility.

From January to April of this year, DES responded to 1,529 calls. It responded to 4,918 calls in 2017.

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